Sunday, September 29, 2013

What Vaccines Should My Cat Have?

Most veterinarians use the guidelines developed by the American
Association of Feline Practitioners to help determine which vaccines are needed
on an individual basis for each feline patient.Core vaccines should be given to all cats during their lifetime since
they are the most important to guard against.These core vaccines include:

Until recently, Rabies was also considered a core vaccine.Since Rabies can spread to people, most
states and counties require cats receive Rabies vaccinations so in that way it
is still a core vaccine.

Indoor only cats should continue to be vaccinated on a
schedule determined in a conversation with your veterinarian at your cat’s
annual exam visit.Vaccination is
determined by your cat’s age, lifestyle risks, and the health status of your
cat.At our hospital, we have had
clients with indoor only cats exposed to rabid bats who somehow made it into
the house.Cats exposed to rabid animals
or cats who bite a person who seeks medical care, are required to have a 6 month quarantine if
they are not up to date on their Rabies vaccine.

Also, most cat owners get another cat later down the road. These cats
are usually strays or rescues with unknown vaccination and health status, so isn’t it
better to keep your cat current on immunizations in case you rescue a new cat in
the future? Also, that way if you ever need to board your cat at a kennel,
you don’t have to stress with making a last minute appointment at your veterinarian’s
office to get updated on vaccines.